OK, now it's balcony time. Finally.
Technically, there is no balcony mentioned in the play, just a window. However, from a theatrical standpoint I think we can all agree that balconies are WAY more dramatic than windows.
The (FAKE NEWS) Ides of March
Tomorrow is the Ides of March! BEWARE!
...or, you know, don't.
Romeo and Juliet: Act 2, Scene 1 (part 1)
When we last saw our hero ("our hero" meaning Romeo) he had just discovered that the young woman he fell madly in love with at the Capulet's party was, in fact, Juliet Capulet, daughter to his father's arch-nemesis, Lord Capulet. So naturally he decides to engage in some casual late-night breaking and entering.
Also, the real tragedy of Mercutio's short life is that he died centuries before the advent of the "that's what she said" joke. He would really have enjoyed that.
Romeo and Juliet: Act 2 Prologue
OK, remember last week when I said we'd be doing the balcony scene today? Well, I totally forgot about this second, much less famous prologue...
I don't think I've actually ever heard this prologue in performance. Have you?
Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 4 (part 3)
TITLE CHARACTERS HAVE MET. REPEAT. TITLE CHARACTERS HAVE MET. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. PREPARE FOR INEVITABLE SERIES OF DESTRUCTIVE EVENTS.
A lot is always made of the fact that Romeo and Juliet's first conversation takes the form of a shared English sonnet (i.e. with the rhyming scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG). Arguably, this shows that they're soulmates and have an instant connection of hearts and minds... or possibly that they're just really good at ad-libbing in sonnet form. Either way, it's kinda cool.
Let's see, what's up next week...? OH. BALCONY.
Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 4 (part 2)
When we last left our hero (and by "hero" I mean "Romeo"), he was about to crash the Capulets dinner party with his buddy Mercutio. Let's see how that goes...
I like how everyone can recognize Romeo despite him wearing a mask, whereas not even Rosalind's father can recognize her when she cuts her hair. SHAKESPEAREAN DISGUISES, people.
Tune on Thursday for "The Sonnet"!
Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 4 (part 1)
Let's check in with our lovesick titular hero, his sensible cousin Benvolio, and his moderately unhinged friend, Mercutio.
I've always suspected that if Romeo hadn't interrupted Mercutio, he'd still be riffing on Queen Mab to this day.
Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 3
OK, we've met Romeo, the world's most self-indulgent superficial romantic. Let's now meet Juliet!
Confession time: I know she's quite a popular character, but Juliet's nurse has always pissed me off a bit.